Israel and Judah Will Be Delivered after a Time of Deep Distress

30:4 So here is what the Lord has to say about Israel and Judah.8

30:5 Yes,9 here is what he says:

“You hear cries of panic and of terror;

there is no peace in sight.10

30:6 Ask yourselves this and consider it carefully:11

Have you ever seen a man give birth to a baby?

Why then do I see all these strong men

grabbing their stomachs in pain like12 a woman giving birth?

And why do their faces

turn so deathly pale?

30:7 Alas, what a terrible time of trouble it is!13

There has never been any like it.

It is a time of trouble for the descendants of Jacob,

but some of them will be rescued out of it.14

30:8 When the time for them to be rescued comes,”15

says the Lord who rules over all,16

“I will rescue you from foreign subjugation.17

I will deliver you from captivity.18

Foreigners will then no longer subjugate them.

30:9 But they will be subject19 to the Lord their God

and to the Davidic ruler whom I will raise up as king over them.20

30:10 So I, the Lord, tell you not to be afraid,

you descendants of Jacob, my servants.21

Do not be terrified, people of Israel.

For I will rescue you and your descendants

from a faraway land where you are captives.22

The descendants of Jacob will return to their land and enjoy peace.

They will be secure and no one will terrify them.23

30:11 For I, the Lord, affirm24 that

I will be with you and will rescue you.

I will completely destroy all the nations where I scattered you.

But I will not completely destroy you.

I will indeed discipline you, but only in due measure.

I will not allow you to go entirely unpunished.”25